Perry Files for Missouri Presidential Primary

PELLA, IA - NOVEMBER 1: Texas Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry speaks during a forum on manufacturing November 1, 2011 at Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella, Iowa. Five of the Republican candidates, excluding Herman Cain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney declined to come, are slated to appear at the forum. (Photo by Steve Pope/Getty Images)

The state primary is Feb. 7, although it won’t decide anything official for Republicans. The primary is about a month earlier than allowed by the national Republican and Democratic parties, and the Missouri GOP will pick its convention delegates through a caucus process rather than risk penalties from the national party.

But the primary remains in state law and will be held, prompting several Republican hopefuls to enter the race.